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BIO disagrees with biogenic CO2 emissions categorization.

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Press Release Summary:

May 19, 2014 -
BIO "disagrees with the categorization of biogenic CO2 emissions as equivalent to those of fossil fuels" the trade organization wrote in comments to EPA's Proposed Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units. According to Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, Electric Utility Generating Units firing biomass, regardless of percentage, should not be subject to proposed standards.

Biotechnology Industry Organization

Original Press Release

WASHINGTON--The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) “disagrees with the categorization of biogenic CO2 emissions as equivalent to those of fossil fuels,” the trade organization wrote today in comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units. BIO represents biorefining companies that could be impacted by the rule.

“disagrees with the categorization of biogenic CO2 emissions as equivalent to those of fossil fuels”

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, wrote in the comments, “Electric Utility Generating Units (EGUs) firing biomass, regardless of percentage, should not be subject to the proposed standards. Beneficial reuse of CO2 should also be incorporated as a viable compliance option to reduce GHG emissions. Industrial biotechnology can be utilized to produce sustainable alternatives to extractive fossil-based fuels, products and materials through the conversion of waste CO2 to renewable chemicals, materials, and fuels. Including multiple options to capture, store and utilize the CO2 emissions from new power plants will further incentivize the development of innovative technologies to mitigate CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases.”

About BIO
BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter.” Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.

Upcoming BIO Events

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
May 12-15, 2014
Philadelphia, PA